This happened a long, long time ago, when the cedar, the fir, and the pine still had needles that yellowed and dropped in the autumn instead of staying green all winter.

One day, in those olden times, a hunter went out into the woods to catch something for his tribe. He was the cleverest and bravest hunter of his tribe, but game was scarce, and so he walked and walked. He went farther than any hunter had ever dared to go, until he saw a bog so vast that no beast could have crossed it, no bird could have flown across it, only the frogs would be able to see what was on the other side, and they weren't telling. The hunter thought to himself: If the animals here can't cross this bog, what kinds of animals might live on the other side?

The more he thought about it, the more curious he became.e.org/images/stories/tree.gif

Secrets

By Patrick O'Connor

'I know a secret and secrets breed paranoia.' - Simon Holt, The Devouring
 

THERE were four of them, Tony, Danny, Norbert and Alf, all in their 60s and retired.

The Black Hole

DAN'S on the bus with Valbon heading to the Derbyshire market town of Ashbourne. They've taken the bus because they are going to watch the annual Shrovetide football match and parking will be difficult.

The Shrovetide football is played every year on Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday but it's not proper football, not like Man U or Chelsea.

The Anchor

by Patrick O'Connor

IT was a bustling city centre despite the unseasonally chilly May air and clinging drizzle, with the usual shopping brands swamping both sides of the pedestrianised walkway.

Jet black steel and wooden benches were regularly placed along the route to provide weary shoppers with a momentary respite, waddling gluttonous pigeons in close attention.

Over The Hill

by Patrick O'Connor

THE Boeing 767 was about 40 minutes out of Frankfurt where I was due to attend an architects' conference when we were told that the landing gear wasn't working.

Rover 25 1.6 SXi. 5dr Hatchback, 2004, blue, one extremely careful owner from new, ONLY 8,000 miles on the clock, yes that's correct, ONLY 8,000 miles on the clock, pristine condition, almost like brand new, for sale at the amazing, once-in-a-lifetime price of £1,200. Don't hang around, it won't be here long!!!!!